Melvin and Howard (1980)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writer:

Bo Goldman (writer)

Release Date:

19 September 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

A true story?

Plot:

The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.

Plot Keywords:

Desert | Motorcycle | Strip Club | Hoax | Media Coverage

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Jason Robards	...	Howard Hughes
Paul Le Mat	...	Melvin Dummar
Elizabeth Cheshire	...	Darcy Dummar
Mary Steenburgen	...	Lynda Dummar
Chip Taylor	...	Clark Taylor
Melvin E. Dummar	...	Bus Depot Counterman
Michael J. Pollard	...	Little Red
Denise Galik	...	Lucy
Gene Borkan	...	Go-Go Club Owner #1
Lesley Margret Burton	...	Go-Go Dancer
Wendy Lee Couch	...	Go-Go Dancer
Marguerite Baierski	...	Go-Go Dancer
Janice King	...	Go-Go Dancer
Deborah Ann Klein	...	Go-Go Dancer
Theodora Thomas	...	Go-Go Dancer

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-12 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Gabbs, Nevada, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Herbie Faye's final movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: While the men are in the truck talking, a sandwich being eaten has the bite area alternately changing from one side of the bread between shots.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Glenn Close/Black Crowes (#18.9)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

Fortunate Son

Best Film of the 80's

Everyone thinks Raging Bull is the best film of the 1980's, but Melvin and Howard holds up better for me. Paul Le Mat should have been nominated for an Oscar, and this film should have made him a star. It's such a waste that Le Mat isn't used in more films.

At least Mary Steenburgen's excellent performance didn't go unnoticed -- she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Bo Goldman's cleverly constructed, highly nuanced script won another Oscar.

Director Jonathan Demme went on to greater success and acclaim with Silence of the Lambs, but he achieved something special with Melvin and Howard. Most directors would play Melvin Dummar's story for easy laughs, and while Demme finds humor in the material, he also explores with depth and sensitivity how the American Dream has failed some of its most ardent aspirants.